Monthly Archives: June 2013

we do our best to keep the blog updated with acne-safe tips, but we know some of you sSer’s have tricks of your own. we would love it if you guys would share the foods, recipes, products, and just general tricks that have helped you get – and stay – clear.

so consider this an open call for submissions: whether you’d just like to send in a recipe or a quick tip, or want to write a whole blogpost, we want to hear from you! email us at frontdesk@skinsalvationsf.com with any and all ideas. if something is working for you, it will likely work for someone else, so share the wealth!

summer may not officially start for another week, but it definitely feels like it’s already here, which means camping season has begun. for those of you who like to spend warm weekends under the stars, we know that maintaining your sS regimen can be challenging. but don’t worry, if you just follow these simple tips, a few nights in the woods won’t undo your progress.

washing your face

when we’re back in civilization we have easy access to clean and warm water, but campground sinks aren’t always the most appealing places to stick your face. so what’s an sS’er to do?

use a mild cleanser, like green tea cleanser or charcoal cleanser: when you’re spending so much time outside, you want to go for a cleanser that won’t dry out your skin or make it more sensitive to the sun. this is especially true if you’re at altitude.

use a washcloth: to avoid having to put your face in a nasty campground sink (or if you’re really roughing it, using all your water), wet a washcloth and use that before and after cleansing, instead of splashing your face with water. (the makeup removing washcloths we sell at sS are great for this.)

icing!

if you have a cooler (and it’s not too dirty) you can always just sneak an ice cube out of there and ice your face as normal. if you don’t have a cooler, one, you should probably get one because beer tastes better cold, but two, you can always just use your washcloth and cold water to imitate icing. remember though, real ice, like cold beer, is always preferable.

toning

if you’re planning on spending a lot of time in the sun while you’re roughing it, you should be using a more mild toner. if you have sensitive and/or dry skin, using the rose water toner is the way to go. if your skin is a little more resilient, the sterilizing toner is your best bet.

like with your toner, you want to be careful with BP and serums if you’re going to be out in the sun more than normal. it’s better to skip a night while you’re camping than to risk being out in the sun when your skin is extra sensitive from your products.

moisture and spf

as always, it’s important to make sure your skin stays hydrated and protected throughout the day, so don’t skimp on your moisturizer and spf while away. if you’re feeling dry throughout the day you can always top up your spf or use a little hydrating gel.

look out for hidden cloggers

when we’re at home it’s easy (well, easier) to be diligent about using non-cloggy products. but, when you’re out in the wild it’s a little more difficult. watch out for these offenders when camping:

bug spray: nearly all bug sprays are made with soybean oil, which is super cloggy. luckily we’ve found a truly non-comedogenic bug spray that we sell here at sS: greenerways organic bug spray

body sunscreen: sun protection for your body is, of course, important, but make sure whatever sunscreen you’re using on your body isn’t cloggy. even if you don’t tend to break out on your body, when you touch your skin throughout the day, the sunscreen will get on your hands, and will then almost certainly end up on your face.

campfire food: we all know better than to mess with soy and dairy, so make sure you steer clear of them even while camping. check ingredients on any canned or processed foods you plan on bringing – you’ll find that a lot them have some form of sneaky soy.

a dirty pillow: just like at home, make sure whatever pillow you’re using is nice and clean.

if you do your best to follow these tips then you should be able to enjoy your camping trips without stressing about your skin. and, if you need to pick up any products before you head out, you can always drop into sS during business hours or just order online. (existing clients can order through our client store, everyone else can order through our public store.)

as many of you have heard, christine was in a bicycle accident last week. luckily she didn’t break any bones and her MRI was clear, so she’s already on the road to recovery. but she will be out of the office for the next week, taking some time to rest and heal up.

we’re grateful for all the kind words, and everyone at sS is wishing her a speedy recovery.

since kim will be the only esthetician in the office while christine is out, we may have to reschedule upcoming appointments. we apologize in advance for any inconvenience and appreciate your flexibility.

as always, thanks for supporting skinSALVATION, we look forward to seeing you soon,
team sS

one of the most important tenets of an acne-safe lifestyle is cutting out dairy from your diet. since dairy provides some important nutrients – namely calcium – it’s important to make sure you incorporate new sources of these nutrients into your diet after cutting out dairy. doing so will not only make sure your body is getting the nutrition it needs, it will also help to cut down on dairy cravings. (though we can’t promise that cheese plates will ever stop looking delicious.)

adding in these acne-safe and calcium-rich foods to your diet will help maintain the health of your bones and teeth, and can help to stave off osteoporosis down the line.

almond milk
almond milk actually contains more calcium and more vitamin D than cow’s milk, and with only 40 calories in a cup it’s less fattening, too. pour it over your cereal, use it to replace cow’s milk in recipes, or just have a glass with your favorite (acne-safe) cookie.

oranges and orange juice
vitamin c isn’t the only vital nutrient you get from oranges, they are actually naturally high in calcium as well . oranges are super portable, so just throw one in your bag and have it for a mid-morning or mid-afternoon snack. just remember to drink orange juice with moderation – it’s packed with sugar, so make sure you’re pairing it with high fiber, high protein foods to keep the glycemic index of your meal lower.

sardines
a serving of these little salty fish has one-third of the daily recommended value of calcium. surprised? sardines are actually one of the healthiest fish you can snack on, providing not only calcium, but also tons of vitamin D and omega 3’s. try adding them to a salad, or, if you prefer just straight out of the can.

kale
what can’t kale do? it’s no wonder kale has earned the monicker of “superfood.” kale salads are great year round (try adding some fruit into your salad to balance kale’s natural bitterness). also, kale chips are a great alternative to potato chips, and they bake up in about 15 minutes.

…and all those other dark, leafy greensmany leafy green vegetables such as turnip greens, spinach, collards, bok choy, dandelion greens, broccoli and artichokes offer as much as 175-350mg of calcium per 1 cup. an easy and simple way to prepare your greens is by throwing some garlic and olive oil in a pan and sauteeing the vegetables for a few minutes. adding just a teaspoon of water can help cook the greens faster. you could also add some eggs in the mix for an easy, filling and healthy breakfast.

herbs
while you definitely shouldn’t rely on the herbs in your seasonings for all your calcium needs, there are quite a few calcium-rich herbs that you should consider adding into your sauces, dressings, and other recipes. some all-stars include: dill, basil, thyme, oregano, poppy seed, mint, celery seed, sage, parsley, and rosemary.

chickpeas
chickpeas are a super versatile food – eaten on their own, as hummus, falafel, as part of a salad, or even as a substitute for soy in a miso base, there really is very little you can’t do with chickpeas. in addition to calcium, you’ll also get a healthy dose of potassium and folate.

blackstrap molasses
blackstrap molasses is darker in color and thicker than regular molasses – it’s also filled with calcium, iron, and other vitamins, so when you’re craving something sweet it’s best to first reach for this.

chia seeds
chia seeds are the darlings of the health food industry these days (and for good reason). packed with dietary fiber, healthy fats, and calcium, chia seeds are a great addition to any diet. mix them into your morning smoothie or oatmeal, add them to salads, or even mix them with your orange juice to unleash their natural, gelatinous state.

these are just a few of many, many non-dairy sources of calcium. if you’re concerned about your calcium intake since cutting out dairy just remember to always check labels, and to incorporate as many whole foods into your diet as possible. if you still feel like you aren’t getting enough, you can always consider taking a supplement or eating foods fortified with calcium. just remember, it’s always best to get your nutrients from your food, so don’t use these products as a replacement, but rather as a supplement to the calcium you’re getting from whole foods.